Industry

Innovation and regulation at the heart of recruitment issues

The pharmaceutical and chemical industry in the UK is undergoing major change, facing major challenges including employment. With around 100,000 employees, the sector is experiencing steady growth, but is facing a severe shortage of talent in the industry’s professions. Rapid technological advances and increasing regulatory requirements mean that companies need to be constantly transformed. R&D plays a decisive role, with more than 80% of pharmaceutical market revenues coming from prescription drugs by 2022. The HR challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry include the search for highly qualified technical candidates, particularly maintenance technicians, as well as the development of soft skills, which has become a decisive factor. Ongoing training and the retention of talent have evolved to become absolute priorities for coping with the skills shortage predicted for the period up to 2035.

Technological and national security issues

The defence and aeronautics industry, which employs nearly 200,000 people in the UK, is at the heart of technological innovation and national sovereignty. However, this sector faces complex challenges and intense international competition. There is a constant demand for skilled talent, particularly in industrial occupations such as engineering. The HR challenges are compounded by a severe shortage of specialised profiles, particularly in aeronautical engineering and cyber security, a situation that is likely to persist for some years to come. The industry invests heavily in R&D, allocating nearly 15% of its revenues to defence technology innovation. Working in this field requires not only cutting-edge technical skills, but also indispensable soft skills such as resilience and adaptability, which are essential in a constantly changing environment.

Between tradition and innovation

The food industry, UK’s largest industrial sector with over 430,000 jobs, is at a crossroads between tradition and modernity. Ecological transition, food safety, changing consumer habits. The sector is undergoing profound change. The HR challenges are considerable, with a shortage of skilled labour, particularly in production and maintenance. Innovation plays a key role, with increasing investment in R&D, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and precision farming. Companies in the sector not only need to attract specialised technical profiles, but also to develop skills in sustainable development and the circular economy. Against this backdrop, the ability to recruit and retain talent is one of the most important factors influencing the competitiveness and long-term future of the UK agri-food businesses.